Misquoting the Baron

Re: “Prayut slams Thaksin’s ‘tyranny’ tweet”, ( BP, Aug 31).

With due respect to Thaksin Shinawatra, I do not believe his translation to Thai of Baron de Montesquieu’s quote on tyranny practiced under the shield of the law and in the name of justice is correct.

The meaning of the “shield” is not that of using the law tyrannically but citing the armour and name of the law and justice to prolong tyrannical rule.

Thaksin’s translation is contempt of the Thai courts and judicial process in implying that the Prayut government can intervene in our legal system. It is ironic to quote Montesquieu when this man was the father of the thought of separation of powers. The thought laid down the effective principle of checks and balances of a nation. He believed a country should be ruled under three branches — legislature (congress or parliament) of making laws, executive branch (government) in governing and juridical branch (courts) in rendering justice. Neither of the branches is allowed to transgress on the others. It is this basic principle that America has thrived where dictatorial power is discouraged, as the president is now experiencing. In Thailand, it is our last breathing space with our courts and justice system still being relatively independent, though many attempts have been made to taint this branch or cite impartiality for self-benefit, especially from the guilty.

Yingluck Shinawatra’s bail-jumping reminds me of a group of friends urged by one leader to jump fully clothed into a pool to celebrate graduating. On finishing counting one to three, all jumped in except the leader. I’d love to interview Boonsong Teriyapirom and others at their residence provided by the state about how they feel about the two leaders — Yingluck and Thaksin.

SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT